Proper Etiquette At Mass

[cmaD2006]

[quote name='Verissima' timestamp='1323923298' post='2351517']
Ever given a sheet of paper to an ADHD 7-year-old? It generally ends up in shreds by the end of Mass, or at the very least, becomes a distraction for others with all the noise. I also look at it from an environmental standpoint--sure, we're using energy for the projectors, but 300+ song sheets per week for a single school Mass adds up QUICK, even when recycled. I love the tradition of our faith, but I think we can embrace technology in an appropriate manner that enhances the Mass for many.
[/quote]

I agree ... for example, the pew cards at the parish that I attend (you know, the ones that remind you what the proper responses are). You would not believe how many have been thrown away as of this point. Why? See notes above. (There are a few other reasons, like the parents not doing what they should and controlling the kids ... but I digress.)

Note: I'm all for kids being at Mass. I'm just all for proper parenting (realizing that every so often you will have a kid that is just going to do what he/she wants regardless).

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1323929277' post='2351544']
I guess I have to ask...why [i]not [/i]sing?
[/quote]

St. Augustine did say, singing was praying twice!

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='Verissima' timestamp='1323923298' post='2351517']
Ever given a sheet of paper to an ADHD 7-year-old? It generally ends up in shreds by the end of Mass, or at the very least, becomes a distraction for others with all the noise. I also look at it from an environmental standpoint--sure, we're using energy for the projectors, but 300+ song sheets per week for a single school Mass adds up QUICK, even when recycled. I love the tradition of our faith, but I think we can embrace technology in an appropriate manner that enhances the Mass for many.
[/quote]

Or we can take an example from the Polish Catholics who need neither a hymnal nor a projector because they know each song by heart....

[fides' Jack]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1323929277' post='2351544']
I guess I have to ask...why [i]not [/i]sing?
[/quote]
[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1323973041' post='2351721']

St. Augustine did say, singing was praying twice!
[/quote]


Well, he said that singing "well" is praying twice.

I wrote to our bishop not too long ago, because he had written an article about how to fully participate at Mass. One of his sentences suggested that Catholics should sing along with the hymns. I wrote him because we find ourselves not singing along, for various reasons.

One of the more serious reasons is because some of the music is inappropriate. We should not be putting words in God's mouth. "We" are not the "Bread of Life". If songs like that made it clear that it was coming from scripture, and not us, then it might be okay. But we should not be speaking in God's place.

Other hymns are self-centered. Let's not sing about "us". If I'm going to be singing at Mass, it should be prayerful, so it should be praising God or asking God for help - it shouldn't be about how great I am, or about how much I pray to God.

Still other hymns are just too... I don't know the word... modern, maybe? No - that's not quite right... I don't know, they just don't do anything to lift my soul to prayer, which is what music at Mass is supposed to do. They're too [i]feel goodish[/i].

So I wrote to our bishop asking if any of these reasons is sufficient to not sing. I have not heard back from His Excellency.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1323929277' post='2351544']
I guess I have to ask...why [i]not [/i]sing?
[/quote]
Two reasons.

1) Because I don't want to.
2) Because at most Masses in my diocese the music is wretched, both liturgically and musically.

However, number 1 takes precedence because I still don't sing at the T.L.M.

The extent to which I am able to truly participate in the Mass is not necessarily related to whether or not I choose to sing. I would argue that liturgically poor music would actually hinder my participation, and in fact I can give personal examples where it did just that.

[quote name='fides' Jack' timestamp='1323982629' post='2351780']

Still other hymns are just too... I don't know the word... modern, maybe? No - that's not quite right... I don't know, they just don't do anything to lift my soul to prayer, which is what music at Mass is supposed to do. They're too [i]feel goodish[/i].
[/quote]
Insipid?

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1323992487' post='2351838']
Two reasons.

1) Because I don't want to.
2) Because at most Masses in my diocese the music is wretched, both liturgically and musically.

However, number 1 takes precedence because I still don't sing at the T.L.M.

The extent to which I am able to truly participate in the Mass is not necessarily related to whether or not I choose to sing. I would argue that liturgically poor music would actually hinder my participation, and in fact I can give personal examples where it did just that.
[/quote]
I guess I can see not singing being justified that if the music does not edify an individual, or if it flat-out would be against one's conscience to sing a hymn (or, sigh, song) because of inaccuracies or fallacies in the music in question. Otherwise, how often is Catholicism about doing what one wants to do?

Would it be acceptable not to say the responses aloud?

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1324002205' post='2351911']
I guess I can see not singing being justified that if the music does not edify an individual, or if it flat-out would be against one's conscience to sing a hymn (or, sigh, song) because of inaccuracies or fallacies in the music in question. Otherwise, how often is Catholicism about doing what one wants to do?

Would it be acceptable not to say the responses aloud?
[/quote]
Yes, it would be acceptable. True participation is about far, far more than the physical actions you perform.
At the T.L.M. it is not 'required' to say the responses out loud. That's first the job of the servers, and to a certain extent you could say the choir as well. Do people who currently go to the T.L.M., or who went between ~1500 and 1969 participate 'less' that Novus Ordo goers?

Edited December 16, 2011 by Nihil Obstat

[AccountDeleted]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1324002534' post='2351916']
Yes, it would be acceptable. True participation is about far, far more than the physical actions you perform.
At the T.L.M. it is not 'required' to say the responses out loud. That's first the job of the servers, and to a certain extent you could say the choir as well. Do people who currently go to the T.L.M., or who went between ~1500 and 1969 participate 'less' that Novus Ordo goers?
[/quote]

Amen.

For me, to be fully present and participate means more than just singing. I love singing (although I can't do it well) but there are so many songs that are simply not acceptable to me at Mass but are more appropriate for praise and worship meetings.

I also refuse to acknowledge those prayers of the faithful that are not ones I feel I can say "Lord hear our prayer" to with complete agreement. At one Mass, on of these prayers was for 'Our leaders in Rome to understand and acknowledge the customs and needs of our local communities and not impose their will upon them.' I was appalled at the criticism inherent in this request and refused to respond as the others did.

For me participation also includes going early to Mass and preparing myself through prayer, staying after to offer thanksgiving and showing reverence for the holy environment of the church by not getting into social conversations and chit chat until I leave the church.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1324003793' post='2351928']

Amen.

For me, to be fully present and participate means more than just singing. I love singing (although I can't do it well) but there are so many songs that are simply not acceptable to me at Mass but are more appropriate for praise and worship meetings.

I also refuse to acknowledge those prayers of the faithful that are not ones I feel I can say "Lord hear our prayer" to with complete agreement. At one Mass, on of these prayers was for 'Our leaders in Rome to understand and acknowledge the customs and needs of our local communities and not impose their will upon them.' I was appalled at the criticism inherent in this request and refused to respond as the others did.

For me participation also includes going early to Mass and preparing myself through prayer, staying after to offer thanksgiving and showing reverence for the holy environment of the church by not getting into social conversations and chit chat until I leave the church.
[/quote]
I have nothing to add to that.